Chapter 25

I stopped the Tesla Model X car in front of one of my hotels and stepped out of it. I buttoned up my suit jacket and glanced at my security team who also exited their armored vehicles. I nodded to Jex who was their head and walked ahead.

I passed through the revolving glass door and into the turnstile where I swiped up my identification card. 

Every employee stopped in their tracks to greet me. 

"Good day, sir."

I just nodded at those who greeted me as I walked to the private elevator.

 Anita, out hotel manager greeted me and accompanied me.

 There wasn't any hint of weariness on her face considering it's a surprise inspection.

"How's the ongoing renovation of the 63rd floor?" I asked in a casual tone.

"Going well, sir. The interior designer you recommended is already on her finishing touches. The curated art pieces from Mindanao just arrived. They will be decorated according to the preference of the guests. You can come by later to check it."

"Good. On the day of the arrival of the royal family from Lanao, I want you to supervise them. Give them all they want. Make sure they experience the best amenities of our hotel."

"Yes, sir."

I stopped opposite the closed elevator door and slightly faced Anita.

"That's all. You can go back to your work."

She lowered her head.

 "Thank you, sir."

I turned to Jex who was at my back.

"Jex, check the security system of the place. Upgrade it if needed. We can't afford to gamble up the security of the guests. I don't want any accident in Branch 33 to happen again."

"Yes, sir."

He backed out a few steps and led the men away.

I pressed the button to open the doors and went inside. I then pushed the 70th floor and the doors closed before me. 

I loosened my neck tie then took the cellphone out of my pocket and stared at the empty screen.

"I don't even know her number."

I frowned and glanced at the cellphone I was holding.

"This is not my phone."

Well, technically it is my phone but I don't use it anymore. 

"How did it get here?"

I turned on the phone and the first thing that I saw was the smiling face of Femella as the lockscreen. 

I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her beautiful face. Her tongue was sticking out and she intentionally wrinkled her nose. 

I leaned on the elevator and clicked the Photos icon. My smile widened even more when I saw that Femella had almost a hundred selfies and pictures saved here. There are pictures of her posing like a model and there were just photos of her smiling innocently in the camera. But my favorite of all are the photos of her frowning, out of angle pictures and silly shots. Seeing her like this seems different. She looks so happy, so human and so carefree, far from her crying face earlier. 

The door opened and I walked out whistling my way to the top floor of the building. 

Christine stood up from her desk outside my office and politely greeted me.

"Good day, sir."

"Good day too. I see that you're here already."

"Yes, sir. Ivan informed me that you'll be here."

She already had the notepad in her hand and was ready to write my orders for this morning.

"Call Anita after an hour and ask her for our financial statements. And then call Luther. Tell him I'm the entire day. I'm in the office all day so he can come by anytime."

I noticed that her face turned red. She also tightened her grip on the ballpen.

"Are you okay, Ms. Salceda?"

She smiled at me confidently. "Y-yes, sir. "Would that be all sir?"

"Yes, that's it."

I walked towards my office and pushed the door open.

"Ah sir? Coffee?"

I stopped at the front of the door when Femella came to mind again. 

"Yes, please. And make it two."

"Yes, sir."

I closed the door behind me and walked into the swivel chair ignoring the presence of the standing man in front of the painting of Fernando Amorsolo. 

"Your father told me before that you'll inherit everything he worked hard for. The company, the organization, the family. But your mother got in the way. I waited until you realize that it's your calling, Maverick but again, I failed to convince you. You asked me why I declined the post. It's because I believe you are the only one who is most capable of taking over your father's legacy."

"Why would I accept the seat of the organization which killed its own founder?" 

I scanned the first document out of the pile of files on my table.

Butch didn't say anything for a minute.

"I was  surprised when you called me to ask for help. And I was even more surprised when you wanted me to investigate the same person you wanted to protect. Femella Alcantara. The name brings back memories to me. What is your connection to her?"

I stood up to sit on the couch and motioned him to do the same. Butch sat on the armchair instead. He shook off the dirt on his faded jeans paired with a plain black t-shirt.

"Tell me about her."

"What do you want to know about her?"

"Everything."

He snatched a piece of paper from his pocket and threw it at me.

"That's the only thing I managed."

I picked up the crumpled paper on the floor and looked at it. It is a picture of Femella's family portrait with what I think are her parents. They were standing outside a mansion holding a wine glass on each hand. 

"Tell me more about her."

"Femella Alcantara, the last known survivor of the Alcantara clan. Her parents are Natividad and Napoleon Alcantara. They're old rich just like the Asturias when it comes to wealth, influence, and power. You might not know them if you're too into technology and modernization. They're very conservative. They don't like being known and exposed. They liked to work behind the scenes to control their puppets. They are the kingmakers."

I can't believe it. According to Butch, Femella comes from a wealthy and powerful clan. If so, what is she doing at the club? Why is she selling herself? Butch seemed to read my mind right away because he continued on divulging what he found out.

"The Alcantaras mysteriously went down. Their companies went bankrupt and were entangled with successive lawsuits and scandals with the government. The patriarch, Don Fernando Alcantara died of a heart attack. That's where their loss started materializing."

"How about Femella's parents? What happened to them?"

"They committed suicide."

I was shocked. What a tragic ending for a great family. Now I understand about the pain in Femella's eyes. What happened must have been very painful for someone like her. From the top, they suddenly plunged down to the bottom. Which is maybe the reason why she decided to enter the club. My heart swelled of pity for the young Femella who had to experience it. 

"Thank you, Butch. That's all I needed to hear."

"I've sent the whole report to your email."

I stood up and shook hands with the man who had also been my number nemesis to my father's attention. He can stop visiting me here in person but I know he won't waste the opportunity to convince me again.

Someone knocked on the door and Christine came in carrying a tray with two cups of coffee. 

Butch tightened his grip on my hand. 

"We're still waiting for you, Maverick."

"Thank you for your service, Butch."

He can do nothing but look down. He tapped me on the shoulder and walked out the door. 

Christine set the coffee down on the center table.

"Sir? Isn't he going to have coffee anymore?"

"Who told you it's for him? It's all mine. I need lots of caffeine today to pump up my nerves. I need to finish tons of work today."

She giggled and then left. She was at the door already when I called her again.

"Yes sir?"

"Call Luther. Tell him he should hurry in coming here or else I won't award him the contract."

She blushed again as her smile disappeared from her lips. She nodded reluctantly.

"Right away, sir."

 I sipped coffee while shaking my head after Tine left. Maybe my very good friend in the name of Luther hit on her again. He must not make the same mistake of lining her up with the women he goes out with.

I can never find a secretary that is as efficient and excellent as Christine. And he will be at the mercy at the hands of Cholo. 

I picked up the paper and stared at it. Femella is so cute in her SpongeBob pajama suit and pigtails. I took out my cell phone and took a picture with the paper. I sipped my coffee with a smile and savored the taste. Christine already knows my coffee blend but I seem to be looking for something else. 

I'm craving for something different yet familiar. There's just something missing in my life right now.

I sighed. I could be slow at times. It only means one thing. 

I missed Fem.